April 4, 2017

For Immediate Release
Contact: Rachel Paling (207) 624-6747 rachel.paling@maine.gov

Augusta – The Maine Department of Education today announced 7 grant awards for collaborative initiatives undertaken by schools and educational agencies as part of a statewide regional opportunity and efficiency initiative called EMBRACE.

The EMBRACE initiative, “Enabling Maine students to Benefit from Regional And Coordinated approaches to Education,” is part of a growing focus on improving education services while saving local costs by encouraging regional partnering.

The chance to apply for the Educational Efficiencies and Opportunities Grant was offered by the Maine DOE earlier this year. The application was released in response to Executive Order 2017-001 issued by Governor LePage. promoting Regional Efforts to Achieve Efficiencies in Delivering Educational Services.

To apply, school districts and neighboring educational units proposed plans that would help save cost by working together on initiatives that could create new opportunities for students while reducing cost, including transportation facilities, professional development and special education services. The grant proposal resulted in 21 applications with an array of cost saving plans to benefit Maine students.

While only one third of the applications will be funded at this time, if the Department determines that additional funding is available, more awards may be granted. The final award amount for each grant will be negotiated between the grant recipient and the Department of Education, which may result in the availability of more funds for additional grants.

In addition, Governor LePage has requested $5 million per year in the biennial budget proposal, which would enable additional rounds of applications for grants in future years.

Today’s awards involve nearly 50 sites throughout Maine, including neighboring school districts, Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers, colleges and universities. Below is a listing of the regional efficiency projects that will receive funding (although grant amounts are yet to be finalized):

Regional Efficiency Projects

Western Maine Regional Program for Children with Exceptionalities

The participants will share a space and resources to provide services to students in grades 6-12 with autism and/or emotional disabilities and other behaviorally challenged students who would otherwise be placed in special service private schools outside the participating districts. The plan will allow students to stay closer to home while also providing necessary technical and experiential learning opportunities.

Proposed cost (not necessarily size of award): $314,500
Estimated 5-year savings: $2,050,000

Participants:

• Lead SAU – MSAD 17 (Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford, West Paris)
• RSU 44 (Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock)
• RSU 72 (Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, Lovell, Stoneham, Stow, Sweden)
• Maine Regional Vocational Center 11 (Oxford Hills Technical School)

Rightsizing Education in the Upper St. John Valley

This plan aims to improve the quality and efficiency of three St. John Valley School Districts by regionalizing grades 9-12 into a regional combined high school/CTE center, while at the same time retain each community’s individual identity by maintaining Early Childhood to grade 8 within the sending communities. The plan will align curriculum, assessment, professional development, policies and resources across the three SAU’s, it will also introduce CTE learning styles to 8^th graders, provide Chemical Health Education to students and enhance visual and performing arts programs.

Proposed cost (not necessarily size of award): $508,200
Estimated 5-year savings: $901,509

Participants:

• Lead SAU – MSAD 27 (Eagle Lake, Fort Kent, New Canada, Saint Francis, Saint john Plt., Wallagrass)
• MSAD 33 (Frenchville, Saint Agatha)
• Madawaska School Department
• St. John Valley Technology Center
• University of Maine at Fort Kent

Service Bundling

The project will bundle special education, psychological services, transportation, technology and facilities services that are currently being operated independently.

Proposed Cost(not necessarily size of award): $162,500
Estimated 5-year savings: $537,500

Participants:

• Lead SAU – MSAD 01/RSU 79 (Castle Hill, Chapman, Mapleton, Presque Isle, Westfield)
• MSAD 45 (Washburn, Perham, Wade)

Southern Aroostook Area Regional Transportation Facility

The plan will provide participating communities with a centrally located facility to serve as a bus garage for maintenance of the combined fleet of buses, vans and service vehicles of the participating partners. The project will save money, increase reliability and improve maintenance services which will is expected to lengthen the life of buses and other service vehicles.

Proposed Cost(not necessarily size of award): $415,000
Estimated 5-year savings: $929,917.45

Participants:

• Lead SAU – RSU 29 (Houlton, Hammond, Littleton, Monticello)

• RSU 70 (Hodgdon, Amity, Haynesville, Linneus, Ludlow, New Limerick)
• RSU 50 (Southern Aroostook and Katahdin)
• MSAD 14/RSU 84 (East Grand)
• Region Two School of Applied Technology

SPRPCE Innovative School

The project will create a regional, alternative education school beginning with 7^th and 8^th graders, with plans to expand to grade 10. The school is designed for hands-on, experiential learning to motivate and prepare at-risk youth for successful integration into further learning opportunities at local CTE centers and in early college programs. The funds will support the creation of the school for its first year.

Proposed Cost(not necessarily size of award): $538,235
Estimated 5-year savings: $3,308,825

Participants:

• Lead SAU – Bangor School Department
• AOS47 (Dedham, Orrington)
• AOS 81 (Holden, Eddington, Clifton, Amherst, Aurora, Great Pond, Osborn)
• Brewer School Department
• Glenburn School Department
• Hermon School Department
• Maine Indian Education
• Milford School Department
• RSU22 (Hampden, Newburgh, Winterport and Frankfort)
• RSU 26 (Orono)
• RSU 34 (Alton, Bradley, Old Town)
• RSU 64 (Bradford, Corinth, Hudson, Kenduskeag, and Stetson)
• RSU 87 (Carmel, Levant)
• Veazie School Department
• United Technology Center
• Eastern Maine Community College

Sheepscot Regional Education Program

The project will provide a single site for special education services for students in grades 6-12, through age 20, who need behavioral support. The day-treatment option will be a research based intervention option for students to participate in prior to potential further out of district placement. The partnership will provide cost savings on infrastructure, staff, and administrative and financial oversight.

Proposed Cost(not necessarily size of award): $518,000
Estimated 5-year savings: $8,086,664

Participants:

• Lead SAU – Wiscassett School Department
• RSU 01 (Bath, Arrowsic, Phippsburg, Woolwich)
• AOS 98 (Boothbay Harbor)
• AOS 93 (Damariscotta)
• RSU 12 (Alna, Chelsea, Palermo, Somerville, Westport Island, Whitefield, Windsor)
• Bath Regional Career and Technical Center

Western Maine Mathematics 9-12/CTE Leadership Network

The project is designed to support the development of a high school mathematics coaching model to better meet the needs of 9-12 mathematics teachers and CTE teachers in western Maine. The project will use the proven success of the Maine Mathematics Coaching Project (MMCP) to provide high quality mathematics professional development with will increase interest, engagement, and self-efficiency in mathematics for high school students and teachers.

Proposed Cost(not necessarily size of award): $231,082
Estimated 5-year savings: $403,798

Participants:

• RSU 04 (Wales, Litchfield, Sabattus)
• RSU 09 (Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Starks, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton)
• RSU 10 (Buckfield, Byron, Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Hanover, Hartford, Mexico, Peru, Roxbury, Rumford, Sumner)
• RSU 58 (Avon, Kingfield, Phillips, Strong)
• RSU 73 (Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls)
• RSU 74 (Anson, Embden, New Portland, Solon)
• Winthrop Public Schools
• Foster Career and Technical Education Center
• University of Maine Farmington
• Western Maine Education Collaborative

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rachel Paling (207) 624-6747 or rachel.paling@maine.edu

Maine DOE to Announce $3M in Regionalization and Efficiency Grant Awards

What: The Maine Department of Education (DOE) will be holding an event to announce the award recipients of $3 million in grant funds available to School Administrative Units (SAUs) and neighboring partners pursing regionalization and efficiency efforts. SAUs had the opportunity to apply for the funds through a competitive application process earlier this year.

When: Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 12:15 PM

Where: Maine State Library 2nd Floor (Note: Upon entering the main entrance of the library proceed down the stairs or elevator to the 2nd level.)

Who: Maine Commissioner of Education Robert G. Hasson, Jr., representatives from the Maine Department of Education, and members of the RFP committee.

For more information contact Maine DOE Director of Communications, Rachel Paling at rachel.paling@maine.gov or call 624-6747.

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce that the following individuals have been appointed by Governor Paul R. LePage and Acting Commissioner Robert G. Hasson, Jr. to serve on the Maine STEM Council.

Established by a 2011 bill submitted by Governor LePage following unanimous support from the Maine State Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, the Maine STEM Council develops strategies for enhancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education from prekindergarten through postsecondary education.

Jon Amory
Engineering/Robotics Teacher
Baxter Academy

Jon Amory studied naval architecture, philosophy and engineering at Trinity College and received his master’s degree in design studies from Harvard University. Currently a member at the newly founded Baxter Academy in Portland, Amory has extensive experience in engineering having worked at Boston Dynamics designing robots, in addition to teaching engineering for four years in Freeport middle school and high schools. He has focused his teaching career on building skills through large-scale, student-led, real world projects, such as a wind tunnel that clocked the highest wind speeds ever recorded in Maine.  One of the original team that started the Baxter Academy, Amory worked to design the Academy’s unique Flex Friday program.

Jason Judd
Program Director
Project>Login at Educate Maine

Jason Judd has worked for the last 12 years in a variety of educational roles, including as a teacher, college and career counselor, director of studies, and academic dean at Maine Central Institute (MCI), a town academy in Pittsfield. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Farmington in secondary education English, a master’s degree from the University of Southern Maine in educational leadership, and a doctorate in organizational leadership studies at Northeastern University. His dissertation is focused on how school leaders foster and support innovation at their schools. Jason is a 2000 graduate of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics and chairs the Board of Trustees for the Limestone-based magnet school.

Jennifer Mallett
Math Faculty
York County Community College (YCCC)

With a BS in Mathematics from Gordon College and MS in Mathematics Education from University of Massachusetts, Mallet has taught in both public and private high schools and in addition to her current position at YCCC, she has been an adjunct instructor at the University of New England. She is also a mother of two children ages 12 and 14, whom she homeschools. Mallett enjoys helping students break down big concepts into smaller more manageable chunks and watching their confidence increase. Her professional experience has also allowed her to work with the International School Project, partnering with Russian teachers in an exchange of ideas.

Amanda Nguyen
Digital Learning Specialist
Maine Department of Education

The Commissioner’s designee, Amanda Nguyen recently joined the Maine DOE team to help schools develop programs related to leveraging technology for deeper learning and to increase student engagement and leadership using technology. Prior to DOE, she taught high school math and science, worked with English Language Learners and students with learning differences, and facilitated professional development for adult learners ranging from computer skills to strengthening English and math skills. Nguyen has an A.B. in Biology and Education Studies from Bowdoin College and a Master’s in Education Technology, Innovation and Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

James Ritter
State Librarian and Chief Administrator
Maine State Library

An employee of the Maine State Library since 2012 and a former member and Chair of the Maine Library Commission, Jamie Ritter focuses on extending the library’s services relating to emerging technologies and research & development initiatives. During his time leading the Maine State Library, he has reorganized public areas and launched a “remaker space” to allow public access to technology to facilitate the digitization of photos, audio and video. Ritter is also active on the Board of Maine Infonet, a statewide collaborative of academic, public, school, and special libraries that provides leadership in resource sharing, promotes cost effective solutions for quality library information services, and supports the cultural, educational, and economic development of Maine.

Prior to joining the Maine State Library, Ritter served as Deputy Director of the Camden Public Library and also worked for MBNA as Vice President in Administration and Community Relations, and for Camden National Bank as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Planning. During Ritter’s employment at MBNA, he oversaw the creation of the MBNA Foundation Library Grants Program.

Robert Neely
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
University of Maine System (UMS)

With 17 years of experience in public higher education, Robert Neely has been a biology professor, researcher, department chair, and an academic leader. Under Neely’s leadership at the University of Maine System, he helps each of the public universities collaboratively expand access to learners of all ages, backgrounds, and locations while developing a strategic portfolio of academic programs that increases the capacity of public higher education to serve critical state needs and attract attention, resources, and talent to Maine. Prior to his current role, Neely served as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Texas Woman’s University.